AMN - SUPPLIERS: NanoLub product refurbishes gearing surfaces

Among the many benefits of using Inorganic Fullerene-like Tungsten Disulphide (IF-WS₂) particles in gearing are refurbishment of metal surfaces and lower wear generation. Both these qualities result in increased oil and gearing life, less power draw and less maintenance with the added benefit of improved performance and productivity.

The NanoLub IF-WS2 particles developed by Nanotech Industrial Solutions (NIS) are being distributed by Techenomics International throughout its network while the company has also been appointed exclusive distributor to the mining industry.

These particles have been found to provide tangible benefits in a range of industrial, transport and mining scenarios, including final drives and all gearing with ongoing independent testing of IF-WS2 by Techenomics continuing to confirm these benefits.

Auto-reconditioning tests on steel balls from a four-ball test bench and real gears indicate that the nano particles enhance the performance of lubricants in gearing.

The movement of metal parts creates friction, generating excess heat and reducing gear efficiency. Adding IFWS2 to the gear oil forms a protective covering on the metals, leading to less friction and lower temperatures.

The tests show that the interior elementary distribution of the abrasive surface was repaired by the NanoLub particles. Auger electron energy spectrum images indicate that the IF-WS2 film formed on the metal resulted in reconditioning of the surface.

Techenomics CEO Chris Adsett says: “The bedding surface is so smooth that slippage occurs easily between layers, which indicates that during the lubricating process between the friction pair, IFWS2 offers a low friction coefficient.”

“Tribological tests on four-ball tribology machine and gear lubrication test-bed indicate that NanoLub particles can auto-recondition abrasive surfaces,” Chris Adsett says.

Tests have also been carried out on two gear systems working in the same environment within a cement factory.

Less formation of larger abrasive particles in gears using the NanoLub products was noted than in gears using original oil.

Patch tests showed that the original oil in this scenario showed pitch-line fatigue as well as scuffing and/or scouring whereas when IFWS2 was used, the wear was much lower and as a result of smaller abrasive particles.

Again, the surfaces showed evidence of reconditioning and were much smoother after use of the NanoLub product.

“Depending on the gear design, without IFWS2 the particles may have a major dimension-to-thickness ratio of between 4:1 and 10:1,” Chris Adsett says.

“Chunkier particles result from tensile stresses on the gear surface causing fatigue cracks to propagate deeper into the gear tooth prior to spalling.

“Consequently, excessive heat generation breaks down the lubricant film and causes adhesion of the mating gear teeth.”

He said: “Acid formation and base oil degradation was more pronounced in the original oil compared with when NanoLub was used in the oil.

“Moreover, at the same Total Acid Number in different work hours, the ICP and vibration analysis results indicated that higher levels of corrosion occurred in the original oil system than in the oil with NanoLub added,” he concluded.

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